."
***
**Chapter 19: Naruto and Jiraiya's First Meeting**
Watching Sasuke's indignant expression, Rubik could only chime in with a few words of agreement. In his heart, he silently apologized to the reputationally slandered Obito.
*Sorry, Biological Dad—this is the last billionth time.*
...
**Amegakure, Akatsuki Base**
"Achoo!"
"What's wrong, Tobi? Caught a cold?
Hm?" The blond young man asked the masked man beside him.
"Yah~ It's been raining non-stop in the village, after all. By the way, Senpai—you're worried about me, aren't you? Tobi's so touched!"
Facing his overly dramatic "comrade," Deidara's face instantly darkened.
"Don't disgust me! You're fine causing trouble usually, but as a ninja, you catch a cold? Tobi, you're utterly useless!"
"That hurts! Deidara-senpai is so mean~"
Tobi dropped his head dejectedly, drawing circles on the ground. His entire art style turned black and white.
Deidara eyed the downcast Tobi. Though annoyed, he still offered some comfort: "Well, you're still a newbie—not even a full Akatsuki member yet. Train more, help the organization more, and you'll get stronger. Then you won't fall ill so easily."
"Got it! Thanks, Senpai! I'll do my best!"
Tobi instantly forgot Deidara's earlier mockery and beamed with sunshine and cheer.
Deidara nodded in satisfaction.
"Once I get strong, I'll take over Deidara-senpai's spot! So you can retire comfortably, take a break, and stop working so hard with all those explosions!"
Deidara's face turned pitch black. He instantly chased after the fleeing Tobi:
"Hey, you brat! You just said you'd replace me, didn't you? Hm? And who said explosions are 'playing'? That's art! ART!!!"
Tobi shook off Deidara with an exaggerated running pose. Beneath the mask, unseen by anyone, one eye gleamed with a hint of serious contemplation:
*'Strange... What's wrong with me lately? Last time could be called an accident, but this is clearly off. Is it Madara's failsafe? No, I haven't disrupted his plan yet. The only thing that could affect my body right now... is Kakashi? Konoha... Time for a long-overdue visit...'*
...
**Konoha Village, Bathhouse Back Door**
Naruto and Ebisu were arguing at the bathhouse entrance. A figure silently appeared behind Ebisu. Naruto pointed behind him and yelled, startling Ebisu, who whipped around.
The newcomer was Jiraiya.
He'd come to the women's bath for inspiration, scouting material for the next *Icha Icha Paradise*. But he unexpectedly ran into Naruto here. He'd planned to wait until the Chunin Exams to find him—could this be fate?
Ebisu, stunned for a moment, still held some prejudice against Naruto but had softened a bit after the Konohamaru incident. He'd heard the "demon fox kid" had taken in an outsider and came to warn him out of concern for potential danger. Instead, he'd been cursed out. Feeling his good intentions had been misunderstood, he was about to teach Naruto a lesson when Jiraiya arrived for his peeping.
Ebisu glanced at Jiraiya behind him and immediately pegged him as another peeper. Adjusting his glasses righteously, he declared: "I don't know who you are, but I won't tolerate such shameless behavior! Confess properly!" With that, he charged at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya spun aside, dodging the attack. He formed seals and summoned a giant toad, leaping onto its head. The toad's tongue lashed out, wrapping Ebisu and hoisting him high before slamming him into the ground.
*Boom!*
Dust settled, and the Black Flash lay defeated.
Jiraiya struck a cool pose, quite pleased with his entrance—if only it hadn't been during a peeping attempt.
Naruto stared at Jiraiya in shock. Ebisu might've lost to his Sexy Jutsu, but he was still a special jonin with real strength. This lecherous old man had taken him down effortlessly—he was no ordinary guy.
Jiraiya noted Naruto's expression and smirked faintly. *Perfect—I've hooked the kid's curiosity.*
Naruto poked Ebisu. "Hey, repressed pervert! Are you still alive?"
Ebisu lay still on the ground—whether from embarrassment or recognizing Jiraiya, he ignored the call. Naruto sneered in disgust: "Knocked out that fast? Useless."
"You little punk~" Ebisu barely restrained the urge to jump up and punch him, continuing to play dead.
Naruto turned to Jiraiya and his toad, demanding: "What's with the giant toad? And who are you?"
Jiraiya struck his signature pose and boomed in theatrical kabuki style:
"Good question! I am the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, the Toad Immortal! The legendary Sannin—Lord Jiraiya, that's me!"
He watched Naruto expectantly.
Naruto clutched his head, thinking: "Hmm, that name rings a bell... Sannin?..."
"Ah! I remember! The Sannin! Sakura mentioned you—you're Rubik's teacher—Jiraiyaboko Gonoachiro?!!"
"Jiraiyaboko Gonoachiro what?! I'm Jiraiya! Jiraiya! Listen properly, you brat!" Jiraiya protested.
Naruto ignored him completely, looking utterly crushed:
"Ah! Rubik's teacher is a perverted old peeper who sneaks into women's baths! Totally not what I imagined!"
His voice carried clearly to the women's bath next door, sparking a chorus of screams.
"Hey!" Jiraiya scolded loudly. "Don't shout it out! The peeping's exposed now!"
"Hmph! Serves you right, getting caught, you lecherous sage!"
"What'd you say, you brat? Just like that Rubik kid—annoying as hell! Not at all like..."
"Don't talk bad about Rubik!" Before Jiraiya could finish, Naruto charged with a fist raised.
Jiraiya sidestepped gracefully, landing an elbow on Naruto's back. Naruto ate dirt face-first.
"Haha, kid! You're a long way from landing a hit on me."
Seeing Naruto glare fiercely from the ground, Jiraiya nodded inwardly, about to speak—when chaotic footsteps approached.
"Uh-oh!" With his vast combat experience, Jiraiya's face changed. He grabbed Naruto and bolted at top speed.
"Comrades, hurry! The voice came from here! Grab him!"
"I saw him! The one with black sunglasses playing dead on the ground—don't let him escape!"
"Nani?" Ebisu, who'd been squinting in feigned death, blinked in confusion at the oncoming crowd. Eyes wide, he yelled:
"You got it wrong! It wasn't me!"
"Still denying it? Everyone, get him—see if he's stubborn now!"
"AHHH!!!"
***