The same dramatic flair with which Jiraiya had leapt over the wall now left him utterly humiliated under Tsunade's death glare. His facial muscles froze, and his awkward grin only made the scene more absurdly amusing.
"Sensei?! You're back? Why didn't you tell us?"
Minato's eyes lit up with surprise.
"Cough, I just… well, I…"
"Jiraiya~" Tsunade's voice dripped with faux sweetness. "What kind of gift did you bring for your dear student? I'm really curious. If it's good, maybe give one to Kyoichi too?"
"Uhh, there's no need. I can just give this to Minato later—"
As Jiraiya spoke, he tried to tuck the package behind his back, but Tsunade's eyes narrowed, and her fist rose threateningly.
Two options:
Hand it over.
Or get carried out.
Pick one.
Jiraiya understood the choice loud and clear. With a bitter smile, he reluctantly handed the package to Minato.
Minato opened it—and his eyes lit up.
"Is this your new manuscript, sensei? A sequel to Tale of the Gutsy Ninja, maybe?"
Kushina leaned in curiously.
Minato was genuinely expecting a continuation of Gutsy Ninja. Why else would his teacher personally deliver it? But as he flipped through the pages…
He realized something was… off.
This book was… definitely not something appropriate.
Sensing Kushina and Tsunade's changing expressions, Minato calmly began closing the manuscript.
"Let's not distract from the real star tonight—Kyoichi. I'll read this later."
"Hold it right there!"
Kushina grabbed it and flipped another page. Her expression immediately darkened as she glared at Jiraiya, her fist crackling with tension.
Kyoichi sighed quietly.
When it came to doing dumb things with full confidence, no one beat Jiraiya. Not even Obito could match that level of chaotic energy. Giving that kind of gift? Classic Jiraiya.
Actually…
Wasn't Kakashi's infamous copy of Icha Icha Paradise probably from Jiraiya too?
He had his suspicions.
Who else would gift someone that kind of book?
Seriously.
"Jiraiya-sensei! Why would you give Minato this trash?!"
Kushina's right hand curled into a fist, Chakra visibly condensing.
Jiraiya knew that technique—it was Monster Strength. A Taijutsu move Tsunade had developed. But…
Now even Kushina knew it?!
And considering her short fuse…
Would Konoha even survive?
"Well… I mean, we're all adults here. This kind of literature is part of a healthy emotional life, right? Plus I included some of my more… philosophical reflections in it—"
Jiraiya began speaking faster and faster.
Because Kushina's expression was getting uglier by the second. She looked ready to throw hands.
"DIE!"
Kushina roared, her fist crashing down like a meteor.
Jiraiya thought about teleporting away. But if he did, the floor would probably be pulverized, and he'd still get blamed. So instead—
Earth Release: Earth Wall!
Needle Jizo!
Two jutsu in rapid succession. Jiraiya's reflexes kicked into full gear—the title of "Legendary Sannin" wasn't just for show.
Within seconds, both jutsu were up.
He cautiously peeked through a gap, expecting a crater.
But instead, he saw Kushina's arm entangled—held back by Minato and… a wooden branch?
"Alright, let's not beat Jiraiya into the hospital. It is my birthday, after all…"
"Exactly! Exactly!!"
Jiraiya immediately dispelled the jutsu, nodding feverishly, nearly in tears. Kyoichi, you're the real one!
"Just beat him up tomorrow."
"…What?"
Jiraiya felt the blood drain from his face.
This guy's a monster.
Though Kushina did back off—for now. It was Kyoichi's birthday, after all, and fighting here would've been poor form. She'd just settle the score later.
Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief—
And only then did he realize:
Wait a minute…
Wasn't that Wood Release just now?
And not just any Wood Release—it was powerful enough to stop Monster Strength. That alone…
It had a bit of that First Hokage-like aura to it.
Oh no…
Everyone else was leveling up—and here he was, still messing around.
Jiraiya's heart sank a little. He no longer felt quite so cheerful.
Tsunade hadn't even punished him for the book. That reckoning was clearly just postponed.
Besides—
It's just a book, right? What's the big deal?
But knowing Kyoichi, he probably wouldn't even read it. That guy was a complete workaholic—just like the First and Second Hokage.
Tsunade sighed to herself.
Sometimes, she wished Kyoichi had more normal interests.
Of course…
That was just her personal wish.
If she said that to Kyoichi, he'd probably respond with:
"I disagree."
It wasn't that he lacked interest.
He just had no interest in Jiraiya's kind of book.
After all, in his past life, he'd already been bombarded with this kind of content. Jiraiya's artistic novels didn't even qualify as an appetizer.
If he had the time—and he certainly didn't lack the money—he could probably write a better book himself.
Something like Ninja Slayer: Endless Carnage?
That'd be child's play.
Minato placed his own gift down.
Everyone sat and chatted for a while. At some point, Jiraiya gave Tsunade a meaningful look.
As former teammates, they still had a strong mutual understanding.
Tsunade instantly picked up on it.
After dinner, she asked Shizune and Oriri to go wash the dishes, subtly clearing the space. Only a few remained in the courtyard now.
Jiraiya grew serious.
"I wasn't just writing and 'researching' lately. I've also been gathering intel in secret. From what I've seen, Kirigakure looks very suspicious."
"Speak clearly," Tsunade urged.
Kirigakure?
Kyoichi had already uncovered some of their slip-ups before. He'd even deliberately fed Yagura false information. But back then, the Kiri hadn't made any notable moves.
If that shadowy organization was backed by Kirigakure…
That would actually make a lot of sense.
Jiraiya detailed everything he'd discovered—especially the sudden trade embargoes and mysterious changes in the Land of Water.
What caught their attention was how closely those events lined up with the timeline of the Uchiha conflict.
"You think the lockdown in the Land of Water is meant to shelter rogue Uchiha who defected there?"
Kyoichi quickly picked up on Jiraiya's implication.
Jiraiya nodded.
The timing was just too suspicious. He continued, "And not just that… the Third Mizukage hasn't been seen for years."
"Your suspicions are well-founded," Tsunade said, her tone grim.
But Kyoichi wasn't particularly surprised.
He'd long suspected that something was off with the Third Mizukage. That's why he kept sending hints to Yagura. If even after that, Yagura still blundered—
Then there was nothing more Kyoichi could do.
Of course…
Even if Yagura was being controlled, it wouldn't change the outcome much.
Right now, Madara wasn't invincible.
Kyoichi was confident he could beat the current aged Madara in a straight fight.
The real problem was the Gedo Statue and Yin-Yang Release shielding him—Kyoichi had no way of locating him.
Otherwise…
He'd have killed Madara long ago.
Tsunade thought for a moment and said, "Even if it is Kirigakure, we can't act without legitimate cause or evidence. We can't just storm the Land of Water."
"Exactly. That's why I came back. Also—there's something strange going on in Yugakure."
Jiraiya then brought up the cult incident.
Kyoichi shook his head.
"They're probably not connected. The style and objectives are too different. But Kakuzu and Sasori might be linked to the shadow group. I suspect their true target is Nagato."
"Nagato…"
Jiraiya went quiet.
The Rinnegan…
That was Nagato's biggest secret.
"Nagato? That kid? What about him?"
"…He has the Rinnegan."
"WHAT?!"
Tsunade was stunned.
Then angered.
"Jiraiya, you…! And Kyoichi too?! If Jiraiya was being careless, shouldn't you have known better?! That's the Rinnegan we're talking about!"
The Rinnegan…
A legendary eye technique.
If their enemies were after it, that wouldn't be surprising. After all, in legend, only the Sage of Six Paths ever possessed it. Whoever holds it now might even wield the powers of a Sage!
And yet…
They both knew.
And said nothing.
"I've been analyzing the situation. And honestly, the Rinnegan doesn't seem that simple. I'm beginning to suspect… they might not be his own eyes."
"No way. He had them since he was a kid!"
Jiraiya shook his head.
But Kyoichi looked at him and said, "Nagato is a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. His chakra and physique are both strong. But I've noticed that every time he uses the Rinnegan, it takes a massive toll on him. He can't deactivate them either. That's very similar to what happens when someone transplants a Sharingan."
"That's it? The Rinnegan is the most mysterious of the Three Great Dōjutsu. High cost and being constantly active seems normal, no?"
Jiraiya still didn't buy it.
Kyoichi just smiled.
"I'm only speculating based on the evidence. I'm not saying for sure that the Rinnegan isn't his. But if it wasn't… then the real question becomes—"
"Whose eyes are they really?"
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