"Hey, Sasuke."
The walk home was quiet until Naruto broke the silence, elbowing his companion lightly. "Did you hear about that new game coming out? Valley of the End?"
Sasuke didn't even look at him, keeping his eyes forward. "What are you talking about?"
"Dude, do you not even watch TV at home?" Naruto's mouth twitched, and he frowned. "It's the first computer game from the Land of Waves! Developed single-handedly by Yuto!"
"Rather than wasting time watching TV, I'd rather study at home," Sasuke replied calmly, his expression neutral. "Besides, I have zero interest in games. They're not worth my attention."
"Computer games aren't just ordinary games!" Naruto spread his arms wide, raising his voice in protest. "Computers are already amazing, right? So computer games must be even more incredible!"
"Frivolities rot the mind," Sasuke snorted coldly.
"You're just too damn conservative! What era are you living in?!" Naruto shot him a thumbs-down, his face scrunched in annoyance. "Even Yuto says you gotta balance work and play!"
"Idiot," Sasuke retorted with a disdainful look.
"You arrogant jerk!" Naruto gritted his teeth in frustration and pulled out his ultimate move. "Kurama, roast him!"
"What's this got to do with me?" A thumb-sized fox popped out from Naruto's head, it shrugged its tiny paws. "Am I your mouthpiece now?"
"Kurama, aren't we comrades?"
"And how much char siu (sliced pork) do you contribute to me daily?"
"You're measuring our camaraderie with something that superficial?!"
"You humans need to eat, but a fox like me don't?!"
"Fox my ass, you're a tailed beast!"
Bickering and squabbling, they gradually faded into the distance.
'Valley of the End?'
Jiraiya, who had only caught snippets of the conversation, looked puzzled.
'What does that mean?'
'Was the Land of Waves planning an ambush at the Valley of the End?'
And why was Naruto's situation here so different from what he'd imagined? Wasn't he supposed to be locked away in some dark, forgotten room, living in misery?
Not only was he openly strolling around the streets, but he also got to watch TV every day?
That was huge!
TV?!
He'd only seen those in the homes of high-ranking officials in the Land of Fire—each costing five million ryo!
If Hayashi Yuto was really as ruthless and unforgiving as they said, why would he treat Naruto so well? But if he did care about old ties, then why would he treat Tsunade that way…?
It didn't make sense. Jiraiya felt more confused the longer he stayed here.
Just then.
"That's him!" The little blond kid suddenly pointed at Jiraiya's nose, accompanied by two guards. "He's been following us the whole way! Probably one of those 'glass lovers' mentioned in the legal code!"
"It's called 'lolicon,' idiot," Sasuke shot him a sidelong glance. "And you're not a loli."
"Huh? Did I get it wrong?" Naruto blinked.
"No, I wasn't…" Jiraiya frantically waved his hands, trying to explain.
"Of course, we won't take one side's word for it. Please show us your identity documentation," one of the guards, a short-haired one, said politely.
"Id-identity documentation?" Jiraiya froze.
"Every visitor entering the Land of Waves is registered with an identity documentation. You do have it, don't you?" The other long-haired guard narrowed his eyes, his finger already resting on the walkie-talkie at his waist.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched. His hands raised, already forming seals to make a run for it.
He had to admit—he'd been careless this time!
He never expected Minato's son to be so perceptive, and he certainly hadn't anticipated that entering the Land of Waves required something like an "identity documentation"!
But it was fine.
They were just two ordinary guards. All he had to do was…
Swish.
The guard in front of him suddenly pulled two black metal rods from his coat and pressed a button on them.
Crackle.
A surge of intense electricity flashed, and Jiraiya's body convulsed before collapsing to the ground.
—
*Detention Center.*
When Jiraiya slowly regained consciousness, he found that the chakra within his body had been completely sealed by some unknown force. Shackles bound his hands and feet, and he couldn't muster even a hint of strength.
"Captured, huh?"
Jiraiya sighed bitterly.
He'd braved countless dangers in his heyday, yet he never expected to be taken down by two ordinary guards today. What the hell was that black, stick-like thing? How could it possibly shoot electricity?
"Not captured—arrested." A woman's voice, faintly familiar to Jiraiya, suddenly spoke.
The figure drew closer, and Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. "You… you're—!"
"Long time no see, Jiraiya-sensei." Konan emerged, wearing a small white flower in her hair and dressed in the Land of Waves' white trench coat uniform.
"Konan?" Jiraiya took a sharp breath, unable to believe it. "I thought you already died"
"I didn't expect to meet you under circumstances like these, Jiraiya-sensei," Konan said, standing outside the cell with a resigned sigh.
"You've joined the Land of Waves now?" Jiraiya asked quietly.
"Mm, I'm a security Advisor here," Konan nodded frankly. "Jiraiya-sensei, you've been lawfully arrested for engaging in espionage and stalking elementary school students. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"I…" Jiraiya opened his mouth, then helplessly said, "I just came for answers, to understand whats happening here."
"Regardless of your intentions, you've still committed the aforementioned crimes." Konan tossed Jiraiya's backpack to him and said "Please take out your personal belongings. I need to take a photo of you."
"T-take a photo?"
Jiraiya was baffled. What did she mean by taking a photo? And why did he need to hold his personal belongings for it?
"Please comply," Konan urged expressionlessly.
"F-fine." With a resigned expression, Jiraiya pulled out his copy of "Magical Girl Uchiha Madara" from his backpack and held it in his arms. "Like this?"
Click.
A flash went off, and Jiraiya felt his eyes go dry.
"Now bring your belongings and follow me to the Fifth Detention Area," Konan said flatly.
"Konan, can't you cut me some slack?" Jiraiya tried playing the emotional card, rubbing his hands together. "I'm willing to pay a fine or something."
Using a fine to buy freedom—this tactic worked well in most major nations across the shinobi world.
But Konan coldly shook her head. "No. Stalking elementary school students is a serious crime in the Land of Waves!"
"No, I told you—I just came to clarify a few things! I wasn't stalking anyone!"
"You're holding a manga published by that guy. It's hard for me to believe you!"
"That… that guy? You mean Shinana-sensei? Do you know him? Tell me, what kind of person is he?!"
"Same as you, a pervert full of dirty thoughts!"
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