Chapter 456: The Pleasure House
"So… this is what you meant by your second plan?"
By evening, in a small town near the Land of Fire, Kei stood behind Jiraiya with a darkened expression, staring at the building in front of them.
He wasn't the only one.
Kenta, Kakashi, and Obito all wore equally strange expressions.
Because standing before them—
was a pleasure house.
None of them had ever imagined they'd end up here, dragged along by Jiraiya of all people.
"We're all men—what's wrong with coming here?" Jiraiya said, hands on his hips, grinning with excitement.
"Don't worry, I'm paying. Sure, you brats took my wallet, but do you think I'd keep all my money in one place?"
He waved them off.
"Come on! Once we're back in Konoha, I won't get this kind of free time again!"
With that, he strode straight inside, leaving the four of them staring at each other.
"…Do we go in?" Kenta tugged at Kei's sleeve.
"You're asking me?" Kei frowned slightly, then glanced at Kakashi and Obito. "What about you two?"
Both hesitated.
Their worldview had just taken a hit.
Just yesterday, they had been talking about how those who indulged themselves couldn't possibly be strong.
And yet—
Jiraiya was undeniably powerful.
Kei might have handled him with ease, but they all knew that wasn't because Jiraiya was weak.
A shinobi of that level—
acting like this—
was… disorienting.
If Kei knew what they were thinking, he'd probably laugh.
After all, the so-called trio of vices—lust, gambling, and indulgence—never stopped the strongest from being monsters.
Just look at Tsunade… or Orochimaru.
"…Maybe we just go in and take a look?" Kakashi finally muttered.
"Seriously?" Obito stared at him in disbelief.
Kei, however, rubbed his chin.
"Honestly… we can just treat it like a hot spring. No big deal."
"I don't care either way," Kenta shrugged. "Relaxing isn't a crime. Staying tense all the time isn't healthy."
Kei shot him a slightly amused look.
This guy really knows how to enjoy life.
After all, the first time Kei ever went to a hot spring—it had been Kenta who dragged him along.
With a small sigh, Kei stopped overthinking it.
They'd already been standing there long enough to attract attention.
"Let's go."
He stepped inside.
Kenta followed with an easy smile.
Kakashi hesitated… then followed as well.
Leaving Obito alone outside.
"…Are you serious?" Obito muttered, staring at their backs.
After a long pause, he sighed helplessly and followed.
Rin… I have no choice… It's these guys' fault…
I'll control myself. Seriously, I didn't expect Kakashi to be like this…
"Ahhh… this is nice!"
Jiraiya leaned back in the hot spring, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Nearby, Kei and the others lay back as well, towels resting on their heads, soaking in silence.
For battle-hardened shinobi like them, the temperature itself meant little.
They had endured far worse.
But a hot spring wasn't about endurance—
it was about relaxation.
And for shinobi constantly under pressure—missions, strength, survival—
this kind of moment was rare.
Even Kei had to admit—
it felt good.
"It's not bad," Kei said lazily. "Though honestly, whether it's a hot spring or not doesn't matter much to us."
"But since Jiraiya-sama invited us, it'd be rude to refuse."
"Cut it out," Jiraiya scoffed. Then his grin turned mischievous.
"Now then… since you all know what kind of place this is…"
"Want to try the special services?"
The four of them immediately rolled their eyes.
If they hadn't seen him fight—
they'd never believe this man was one of the strongest shinobi alive.
Shinobi had three taboos:
Money.
Alcohol.
And desire.
And Jiraiya seemed to ignore all three.
"What are you all looking at me like that for?" Jiraiya frowned. "You come to a place like this and don't try anything? That's weirder!"
"And Kakashi—why do you keep dunking your face in the water?"
"…I'll pass," Kei said flatly. "If you're interested, go ahead. We'll just enjoy the bath. Come find us when you're done."
Jiraiya raised a brow.
"What, you brats scared?"
Kei glanced at him calmly.
"No."
He paused, then added lightly—
"I just don't want to end up… in the same category as you."
Jiraiya blinked.
"…What does that even mean?"
A second later—
his face turned green.
"…Wait—HEY! That's not what you meant, right?! That sounds very wrong!"
Kei nodded seriously.
"Good. Because I'm not interested either."
"Especially not in forming… that kind of 'close friendship.'"
"…?"
Jiraiya froze, completely baffled.
He realized something unsettling.
At first, he felt like he didn't understand a single word Kei had just said.
But after thinking about it carefully… he realized he did understand.
And when he turned to look at the other three—
Kakashi, Obito, and Kenta—
they were all staring blankly, utterly confused.
Clearly, none of them had grasped Kei's meaning at all.
In other words—
only Jiraiya had understood.
That realization left him momentarily dazed.
How is this brat so… experienced?
A thought crept into his mind—
Could it be…
Impressive! Jiraiya thought to himself.
Not only is this kid strong… but he's also got that kind of depth. As expected, someone this capable must be like me. No wonder I'm so amazing!
With that logic firmly established (in his own mind), he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I underestimated you, Kei! Didn't expect you to be this… capable!"
Kei tilted his head slightly.
"Is that so? Maybe. But I'm not as… unrestrained as you. And I'm not interested in this kind of thing."
Not interested?
You're saying things even I wouldn't dare say, and you call that not interested?
Jiraiya smirked.
"Really? I don't think so."
"What you think doesn't matter," Kei replied lazily, leaning further back. "If I say I'm not, then I'm not."
Then, as if casually changing topics, he added—
"I heard you've been chasing Tsunade-san for years… without success. Ever thought about why?"
Jiraiya froze.
His relationship with Tsunade wasn't exactly a secret.
The truth was—
both of them probably understood their feelings.
They just never said it out loud.
Tsunade had her reasons—everyone she cared about had died. Her younger brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan Katō.
Deep down, she believed she brought misfortune to those close to her.
So she chose to ignore Jiraiya's feelings.
As for Jiraiya—
he was simply… terrible at expressing them.
"Tsunade?" Jiraiya scoffed, recovering quickly. "Tch, that woman—well, she's not the same flat—uh, I mean—anyway—"
"I heard you like her," Kei interrupted calmly, stretching. "Then confess. Why waste your time fooling around in places like this?"
"You brat, what do you know?" Jiraiya snorted. "I've heard about you too, you know. Rejecting marriage proposals left and right, and still can't even define your relationship with that girl of yours. Acting like you're some expert."
Kei nodded thoughtfully.
"True, I'm not an expert."
Then he added, almost idly—
"But I've heard… when a woman likes you, she'll 'repay you like a gushing spring.'"
Jiraiya blinked.
"…What kind of saying is that? Isn't it supposed to be 'repay kindness'—wait, something's off. You've been talking weird this whole time."
He narrowed his eyes.
"…Then what about a man liking a woman?"
Kei replied without hesitation—
"Then he'd 'give everything he has.'"
Jiraiya froze.
Slowly…
very slowly…
he glanced downward.
Then his face turned bright red.
He snapped his head back up, staring at Kei in disbelief.
At that moment, he finally realized—
this seemingly composed, serious young man…
was far more dangerous than he was.
Even in that domain—
he might actually lose.
Jiraiya coughed awkwardly, trying to cover his embarrassment.
Right then, the door slid open.
The shop owner stepped in with a polite smile.
"Welcome, honored guests. Would you like some company?"
"I will," Jiraiya answered immediately. "As for them—ask them yourself."
"I'll pass," Kei said, already standing up.
The others followed suit without hesitation.
"Enjoy your golden years while you can," Kei added casually. "Wouldn't want you to regret missing the chance."
Jiraiya frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Then, after a pause—
"…You're really not interested? Especially you, Kei?"
Kei let out a soft sigh and glanced at him.
"If you insist… let me put it this way."
He spoke calmly—
"The shaded path you're so fond of… is covered in frost every morning and night."
He turned and walked out.
Jiraiya stood there, stunned.
He thought about it.
Just for a second—
And then—
his face turned completely green.