Ryosuke took an airship and set off on his journey to Konoha Village.
Previously, for Ripple training, he briefly had the permission to freely enter and leave Mount Myoboku, but as time passed, Ryosuke's summoning connection with Mount Myoboku grew weaker and weaker.
This time he was going to Konoha to find Jiraiya to "renew the permission fee."
Going with him, besides Kamihara Hayato who was going to handle intel-related matters, were Zabuza and a group of newly selected government workers from the Land of Water who had just passed the "National Civil Service Exam."
Ever since joining Ryosuke's team, Oda Ieyasu had been preparing the selection work. It was finally starting to show results, sending manpower to all parts of the ninja world.
Before departure, Oda Ieyasu said to Ryosuke, "They've never done administrative work before, and there are many, many things they need to learn. After they take office, I expect a lot of trouble will happen, but, just like you said, "
"They're going to serve the people, right?"
Ryosuke turned back to look at the people in uniform with badges pinned to their chests. Their eyes were all shining with a light called expectation.
"Hopefully the flame in their eyes won't go out."
On the other end of the receiver came Oda Ieyasu's laughter. He reached out and patted the small head of his son sitting next to him, saying, "Some flames will go out, but some will reignite. People's hearts are always changing."
"Ryosuke, not everyone is like you, always charging forward."
"But as long as you remain standing there, this fire will continue burning endlessly."
"Then…"
Ryosuke was silent for a moment, but still didn't say the second half of his sentence.
What he wanted to say was, "What if I'm no longer here?"
The more information he got about Kaguya, the more uneasy Ryosuke felt inside.
If Kaguya was truly an alien who descended to the ninja world a thousand years ago, from the combat power described in ancient texts, that alien race clearly possessed a "Saiyan"-like ability to destroy heaven and earth.
Even if Ryosuke was a small-town exam kid, he still knew Dragon Ball.
He was seriously worried that one day an alien would suddenly appear and politely say, "Everyone of the ninja world, long time no see."
This was also why Ryosuke was so determined to quickly find the "pen" to activate the Fate Ink.
However, Oda Ieyasu already had too much on his shoulders. Ryosuke didn't want him to spend more effort thinking about a "thousand-year-old alien hag."
Ryosuke didn't say it, and Oda Ieyasu didn't ask further.
After telling each other to take care of their health, Oda Ieyasu hung up the phone.
Little Hideyoshi sat kneeling beside his father. Only after the two elders finished speaking did he ask, "Father, was it my imagination? It sounded like I heard Uncle Ryosuke's… worry?"
"It wasn't your imagination."
Oda Ieyasu held a teacup. "He's afraid."
"Afraid?"
Little Hideyoshi didn't understand. Uncle Ryosuke, who suppressed the entire ninja world with his own power and was invincible under the heavens, what was he afraid of?
"He is indeed invincible under the heavens, but what he's worried about..."
Oda Ieyasu pointed upward.
"...is an enemy from beyond the skies."
"And also, he isn't afraid of dying. He…"
Oda Ieyasu sighed, "Ryosuke is afraid of us dying."
———
The airship departed in the early morning and arrived at Konoha Village that same night.
This speed greatly shortened the distance between villages, and between nations.
Especially the Land of Wind. As early as when the air battleship was developed, they had already begun constructing airports.
Now, they were the first country to complete an airport and had already begun a new round of investment attraction.
The airship steadily landed on an open field.
Ryosuke said to Kamihara Hayato, "In a bit, I'll introduce you to someone, Jiraiya. I think you two should get along."
Kamihara Hayato shook his head.
One of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, of course Kamihara Hayato knew him, but he didn't have a good impression of Jiraiya, and the reason was simple, "Sasuke was gravely injured back then because of Jiraiya's indecisiveness."
Kamihara Hayato said bluntly, "A grown man being all wishy-washy, there's no way I could get along with him."
So when Ryosuke and Kamihara Hayato walked off the airship and saw Jiraiya, who had come to pick them up, Kamihara Hayato pushed down the brim of his hat very coldly, gave a slight nod, and counted it as a greeting.
It was Jiraiya's first time seeing Kamihara Hayato. Thinking he was naturally cold, Jiraiya slapped Ryosuke heavily on the shoulder and said, "Come on, I booked an tavern. The landlady heard that the legendary 'Lord Ryosuke' was coming for drinks, so she specially called in six cute girls to welcome you."
Six. Cute girls.
Kamihara Hayato caught the keywords. He paused for half a second, his cold persona went offline, and he very smoothly pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Jiraiya, "Come, come, have one."
Ryosuke laughed, speechless, and elbowed Kamihara Hayato, "What about Sasuke?"
Not five minutes ago, Kamihara Hayato was saying that because Sasuke was injured in the past, he disliked Jiraiya.
Unexpectedly, Kamihara Hayato replied, "What Sasuke? Isn't he doing just fine! Go, go, go, don't get in the way of me building a connection with big bro Jiraiya."
The two men each lit a cigarette, walked with arms around each other's shoulders toward the tavern, and whatever they talked about made them laugh so hard their tongues were sticking out.
Once at the tavern, before the two got drunk, Ryosuke spoke his purpose in coming.
Jiraiya was stunned.
"So urgent?"
Ryosuke nodded.
Alcohol could be drunk anytime. Plus, talking with the Great Toad Sage wouldn't take long. At worst, he could come back and continue drinking.
As long as he didn't know Kaguya's secret for one day, Ryosuke wouldn't be at ease for one day.
Seeing Ryosuke's serious expression, Jiraiya put away his smile and used a summoning technique to call a toad from Mount Myoboku.
Before setting off, Jiraiya reminded him, "Recently, the Great Toad Sage has been sleepy and dazed a lot. He can't remember many things from the past. As for matters from a thousand years ago… don't get your hopes up too high."
"I understand." Ryosuke said.
After a series of familiar reverse summoning procedures, Ryosuke arrived once again at Mount Myoboku.
Although winter was mostly over, it was still early spring, and the air still held a heavy chill.
But the moment Ryosuke reached Mount Myoboku, he felt a gentle warmth.
No matter when he came, Mount Myoboku, covered in immense natural energy, was always spring-like.
Passing by the giant head of the White Snake Sage, Ryosuke patted it, counting as greeting it after a long time.
Fukasaku and Shima, the two Toad Sages, had laid blankets by the pond. On top were plates of raw insects, with a dish of soy sauce and wasabi at the side.
They were clearly eating insect sushi.
"Isn't this little Ryosuke!"
Shima, with the personality of a warm, enthusiastic aunt, waved to Ryosuke, "Come eat some with us!"
Ryosuke turned down her enthusiasm and pointed at the Great Toad Sage's palace.
"Is it convenient now?"
Fukasaku nodded, "As it happens, the Great Toad Sage just woke up not long ago."
'Coincidence…'
Ryosuke didn't think it was a coincidence.
When he entered the palace and met the gaze of the Great Toad Sage seated on the throne, Ryosuke understood his guess was right.
"You were waiting for me."
The Great Toad Sage let out a long yawn.
"Yes, I was waiting for you. You came for Princess Kaguya."
Ryosuke recalled Jiraiya's reminder. "Regarding her, Great Toad Sage, how much do you still remember?"
"All of it."
The Great Toad Sage lightly tapped his forehead, his eyes complicated, "For others, it may fade. But her… I could never forget her in this lifetime."