Who am I?
Where am I?
Where am I going?
Jiraiya was lost in confusion. Learning sage mode at Mount Myōboku had been so difficult for him. He had used so much toad oil, endured countless beatings with sticks, and eaten so many bugs before finally mastering it—and even then, it wasn't perfect.
So why had that kid managed to learn it on his own?
And not just one, but three perfect sage modes!
Jiraiya's heart was suddenly filled with sorrow. He sighed and muttered to himself, "Is that what a true genius looks like?"
The Toad Sage no longer wanted to be friends with him.
It was too disheartening.
What he didn't know was…
Fukasaku and Shima were staring at Uzumaki Jun as if he were a monster. Three sage modes…
Was that something a human could even achieve?
Now, Fukasaku deeply doubted the Great Toad Sage's instructions. What was he supposed to teach this Uzumaki Jun?
Sage arts?
Did he even need teaching?
At this point, Fukasaku felt like he should be the one learning from the kid!
He sighed inwardly. The shinobi world had never seen such a prodigy before. Even the God of Shinobi back then…
Had never been this absurd.
This was practically unheard of.
So… what was he supposed to do now?
Fukasaku fell into silence, thinking to himself, 'Great Toad Sage, is there anything left for Mount Myōboku to teach him?'
Should he teach him Frog Kata?
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Jun…
Narrowed his eyes and smiled at Fukasaku. "What should we do next?"
He wondered if he could arrange a quick tour of the three sacred lands. It would be good to familiarize himself with Uzushiogakure's future 5A-rated tourist attractions. And also…
The Great Toad Sage…
Had it dreamed something again?
Why hadn't it asked to see him? Did it have nothing to say to him?
After all…
He was firmly on the side of Yang Jian, Chen Xiang, and Black Zetsu—the filial sons!
So…
What exactly did the Toad Sage want?
Wasn't it afraid he would release Kaguya and reunite Black Zetsu with his mother?
But unless he forced his way in, he wouldn't get to see that meddling toad, Gamamaru.
"How about…" Fukasaku thought for a moment. "We have dinner first?"
"Try some authentic Mount Myōboku cuisine?"
Though it was still a bit early for dinner, he didn't know what else to do besides eating.
However…
Hearing Fukasaku's words, Uzumaki Jun's face immediately changed. "No need." He quickly pulled Jiraiya up. "We just remembered we have urgent matters to attend to. We can't stay for dinner."
He wasn't Bear Grylls. He had no interest in eating bugs.
"Dinner?!" The moment Jiraiya heard the word, he snapped back to reality and nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, we really need to leave now."
If they didn't leave soon, they'd be stuck eating bugs.
Why had he waited until after noon to bring Jun here?
Exactly to avoid being forced to stay by Fukasaku.
He quickly grabbed Uzumaki Jun…
Summoned a toad, performed the Reverse Summoning Technique…
"Poof!"
They vanished.
"Actually…" Fukasaku watched as Jiraiya and Uzumaki Jun disappeared, sighing. "I wanted to ask Jun if he'd like to form a contract with Mount Myōboku after dinner."
That was also something the Great Toad Sage had instructed him to do. But now…
They were already gone.
"Whatever." Shima said. "Next time, just have Jiraiya ask him."
Then…
Glancing at the sky outside…
"What should we do now?"
It was still early.
Were they really going to have dinner now?
"We…" Fukasaku frowned in thought. "You decide, old woman. I'll go see the Great Sage again."
He needed to report about the red-haired kid and ask what to do next.
It seemed like Mount Myōboku's help wasn't needed at all.
"Fine." Shima nodded. "Then I'll go gather more bugs. We'll have a feast tonight."
That red-haired kid's three sage modes had shocked her. She needed to eat more bugs to recover.
And also…
Should she inform Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave about this?
"Sigh."
Jiraiya gave Uzumaki Jun a complicated look, then sighed without saying anything.
He didn't want to see this guy right now. He just wanted to find a quiet place to gather material for his next book.
But…
"What's wrong?" Uzumaki Jun looked at Jiraiya's expression in confusion.
Why did he look so gloomy?
He wasn't acting like his usual goofy self.
Had he been traumatized by the three perfect sage modes?
Well…
His abilities weren't something an ordinary shinobi could match. After all, Jiraiya had never fully mastered sage mode even by the time he died.
Truly, he was too much of a genius.
Uzumaki Jun patted Jiraiya's shoulder sympathetically. "Don't be sad."
"I'm just…"
As Jiraiya looked up, waiting for Jun's comforting words…
"A little more handsome than you, a little stronger than you, a little richer than you, a little…"
Uzumaki Jun said in a consoling tone, "That's about it."
"So, cheer up."
"..."
I don't want to talk to you.
Did the Toad Sage have no dignity?
Jiraiya covered his face and pushed Jun's hand away. He… he needed to get away from here!
He never wanted to see this annoying brat again.
"Why is it so expensive?"
Tobi stared at the construction team's quote in disbelief. "I remember rebuilding and renovations didn't cost this much before."
It was almost as much as buying a new house.
"Sir." The construction team leader sighed. "This place is huge. Nearly 400 square meters. This price already includes a 99% discount."
"It's a great deal."
"..."
99% discount…
Tobi didn't know what to say.
He frowned. "But this price is almost the same as what I paid for the house originally."
"Times have changed." The team leader closed the quote book. "This location, this size—prices have tripled now."
The housing market changed daily. Did he think it was still the same as before?
"That expensive?" Tobi was stunned. How had Uzushiogakure's housing prices skyrocketed so quickly?
"Yep." The team leader sighed nostalgically. "Glad I bought early." Then, looking at Tobi, "And this rebuilding price isn't even high. We're using premium materials."
"This renovation includes underfloor heating, chakra-powered hot water—just turn the faucet, and hot water comes out. Plus…"
"I can just boil water myself," Tobi muttered weakly.
But…
Ignoring him, the team leader continued, "After the renovation, we'll also include some furniture—sofa, dining table, chandelier, toilet, chakra stove…"
"This is an incredible deal."
"So…"
He handed over the contract, flashing a bright smile. "What are you waiting for?"
"Sign it!"
Buy now, profit later!
"We're poor people. Used to living in caves." Tobi shook his head firmly. "We're used to hardship. We don't need luxuries."
No money!
The interest rates were too high. If he went through with this, he'd have to tighten his belt again.
"If that's the case…" The team leader took back the contract, sighing. "We'll just rebuild it to the original specifications."
"You know how many people want these modern houses? Comfortable, stable, no weird smells. If…"
He glanced at the ruins around them and shook his head regretfully.
"If you rebuild it this way, the value could increase four or five times—maybe even ten!"
"What a shame…"
"Such a great location."
"Ten times?!" Tobi's eyelids twitched. Then, calmly, "Actually, money isn't an issue."
"Give me the contract."
"Build it exactly like the modern house you described."
He…
Could endure hardship.
As long as Madara-sama lived comfortably, that was enough.
Madara-sama was already very old.
So, Tobi…
Would absolutely give him the best living conditions.
Let Madara-sama retire in peace.
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