It had been a day since Rinjin and Jiraiya had their fight.
During this time, Rinjin had received a bounty of fifty million ryo from Kirigakure, while Tsunade and the others successfully escorted the kidnapped children back to Uzu no Kuni (Land of Whirlpools).
As for the rogue ninjas from Kirigakure, all of them were knocked unconscious. The three men each carried one captive on their shoulders, ready to return to the village and complete their mission.
Before long, the four of them set off on their journey back.
Walking through the dense forest, Tsunade glanced ahead at Rinjin and Jiraiya, who were arm-in-arm, laughing and joking. She couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
These two idiots... they're beyond saving.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru trailed behind, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on Rinjin's back.
The first impression Rinjin gave him was strength—terrifying physical prowess and speed that bordered on the inhuman.
The second impression was cunning. Despite his carefree and unserious demeanor, Orochimaru could sense a familiar aura from him.
It was the aura of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Beneath the seemingly casual exterior lay meticulous planning and strategy.
This mission, which appeared to be a straightforward hostage rescue, had two actions by Rinjin that Orochimaru couldn't quite decipher.
The first was at Uzu no Kuni. With Rinjin's strength and speed, rescuing the kidnapped child should have been a simple task. Yet, he allowed the kidnappers to escape.
This could be explained as a strategy to ensure the safety of all the children, but Orochimaru felt there was a deeper motive.
The second was his decision to capture the village chief of Uzu no Kuni and use him as leverage.
To Orochimaru, this move seemed utterly meaningless.
The village chief was of no real value. For someone as strong as Rinjin, why bother with such trivialities?
Lastly, there was Rinjin's choice to release the Third Mizukage for a price of fifty million ryo.
He could have easily killed all the enemies present, feigned ignorance, and completed the mission without issue.
Yet, Rinjin chose to let the Third Mizukage go. This was the most puzzling decision of all.
However, Orochimaru was certain that it wasn't for the money.
His sharp instincts told him that Rinjin was plotting something—something big.
As for the Rinjin in question, he was currently animatedly boasting to Jiraiya, spittle flying everywhere.
"Brother, I'm not exaggerating, but Uzu no Kuni is definitely an underestimated village!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya shook his head dismissively and retorted, "I disagree. Yugakure (Hidden Hot Springs Village) is the real deal, okay?
Soaking in hot springs, sipping on sake, with... you know... ah, pure bliss!"
"Hmph~," Rinjin scoffed, flipping Jiraiya the middle finger.
"Your perspective is too shallow. Let me tell you, the Uzumaki Clan is absolutely underrated!
And as for Yugakure, it's not what it used to be. Look at the daimyo and wealthy merchants from various nations—who still goes to the Land of Hot Water?
The trend now is the Land of Snow!
Open-air hot springs with steam rising, surrounded by heavy snowfall and howling winds—that's what you call atmosphere!"
At these words, Jiraiya pouted disdainfully and mumbled, "As if you've been there."
"Ha!" Rinjin responded with a knowing smile but said nothing.
Seeing this, Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. He grabbed Rinjin's neck and whispered, "You've really been there?"
"Ha~," Rinjin simply chuckled, remaining silent.
In an instant, Jiraiya felt a pang of envy.
He had only been to the Land of Hot Water on missions and didn't even know which way the doors to the entertainment district opened.
And yet, this guy—who used to be just as much of a slacker as him back in school—had apparently "seen the world."
Tears of envy metaphorically streamed down Jiraiya's face as he glanced around. Then, leaning closer to Rinjin, he asked:
"Rinjin, aren't we good brothers?"
Hearing this, Rinjin nodded innocently.
"Good! Do you have any tips—uh, you know, tips for making girls like you?"
"What kind of girls? The ones from the entertainment district—" Rinjin was cut off mid-sentence as Jiraiya clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Yes, yes, exactly those!"
"Impossible. Those girls will never love anyone; they only love money!" Rinjin declared firmly.
Hearing this, Jiraiya froze, casting a skeptical glance at Rinjin.
"Really? But the Kabuki Picture Book you sent me last time had tons of stories about geishas turning over a new leaf for love!"
"Heh, would you marry them? If you would, then maybe they'd love you!"
At this, Jiraiya shrank back, chuckling awkwardly. "Forget it. I'm not planning to get married."
"No marriage? Then what's the point?" Rinjin asked, feigning casual curiosity as his eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Uh... the Great Toad Sage prophesied that my future disciple would be the savior of the world.
So, I'm preparing to train hard and raise my disciple properly."
Watching Jiraiya's reverent expression, Rinjin couldn't help but rub his temples in exasperation.
This guy has been completely brainwashed by that toad!
With a long sigh, Rinjin reluctantly tried to dissuade him:
"Are you really going to let your life be dictated by such an unreliable prophecy?"
For a rare moment, a flicker of confusion crossed Jiraiya's eyes, and his steps slowed as they moved through the forest.
"I... I don't know.
I used to want to become Hokage, to earn everyone's recognition.
But then I saw Lord Hiruzen, exhausted every day yet still forcing himself to teach us ninjutsu.
That dream didn't seem so appealing anymore.
Later, I wanted to get stronger, to prove myself to... Tsunade.
But then I'd occasionally see her staring at a bloodstained kunai, looking lovesick... or maybe just lost in thought.
I realized she already had someone she liked."
Hearing this, Rinjin paused, suddenly curious.
A kunai... was it the one that killed Dan Kato, or the one that killed Nawaki?
Wait, no, the timeline doesn't match up.
While he pondered, Jiraiya continued:
"Eventually, I realized that living freely isn't so bad. At least I'm not lonely!
And besides, I want to be that cool guy the Great Toad Sage spoke of—the one who mentors the savior of the world."
At this, Rinjin couldn't help but roll his eyes.
This guy talks a big game about freedom and being "cool," but really, he's just fooling around and losing himself in distractions!
With that thought, Rinjin patted Jiraiya on the shoulder.
"Why don't you just write... uh... 'romance' novels instead? I'll pay you royalties, you can use the money for 'research,' and I'll handle publishing. We split the profits fifty-fifty!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya's eyes lit up. He threw an arm around Rinjin's neck.
"Really?"
Seeing his excitement, Rinjin nodded seriously and confirmed:
"Of course!
And if you can draw, even better—books with illustrations sell like hotcakes!"
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