Even though he had been through this many times, Jiraiya still couldn't get used to it.
After all, a stew full of colorful bugs wasn't exactly what humans would consider food.
With his mouth full of insects, Jiraiya ended up throwing up on the spot.
"Jiraiya, you're still the same. Why can't you just enjoy a feast of bugs? You can't eat it, and neither could Minato."
"I appreciate the thought, but I think I'll pass on the bugs. So, what brings you two to me?"
Even though he had a good idea, Jiraiya still played dumb.
"What do you think?"
Fukasaku and Shima, the tiny toads of Mount Myoboku, stared at Jiraiya in disapproval.
Do you really have no clue why we're here?
Under their unamused gaze, Jiraiya slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"Alright, I admit I messed up last time. I dragged Bunta into it, and he ended up fighting Manda. Is he alright?"
"He's fine. Manda isn't all that strong anyway. Those two have been rivals forever."
Jiraiya's attitude was sincere, and Fukasaku nodded in approval before reminding him:
"Jiraiya, a lot of the toads were unhappy about this. You need to be more careful next time."
"Even if that kid is Minato's son."
"Haha, don't worry, this won't happen again."
The toads of Mount Myoboku wanted an explanation, and since Jiraiya had apologized with a good attitude, that was enough to calm them down.
It was really just an accident. Jiraiya didn't want Bunta and Manda to start fighting either.
Who could've guessed that Manda would suddenly lose it and charge at Bunta, jaws wide open?
Jiraiya was completely stunned at the time.
After seeing what happened with those summoned beasts fighting, Jiraiya decided it was best not to use Sasuke to provoke Naruto anymore.
As for Naruto's training... whatever happens, happens.
Even though he had experience taking care of kids before, the ones he looked after—whether it was Yahiko, Konan, or even Minato—were all much easier to handle than Naruto.
At least they weren't this much of a troublemaker.
After all the chaos, Jiraiya was left with a bit of a trauma.
He was worried that pushing Naruto too much might end up affecting him in a bad way.
So for now, it was better to keep him and Sasuke apart—out of sight, out of mind.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."
"Jiraiya, are you sure you don't want to try the meal I made with so much care?"
"....."
"No, no, I'm good. Naruto is still waiting for me at the ramen shop, and if I take too long, he might get anxious."
Cold sweat ran down Jiraiya's back. He really couldn't handle Mount Myoboku's food. Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha was way better.
Afraid that the two toads might insist he stay for the meal, Jiraiya bolted as fast as he could.
In the end, the big fight between the summoned beasts didn't cause too much of a stir—just a bit of gossip for the villagers to chat about after dinner.
If it were the Third Hokage, he would have immediately sent people to control the rumors and distance Naruto from the situation as much as possible.
But Tsunade wasn't the Third Hokage.
What about Naruto?
A Jinchuriki was still a part of Konoha, right? Why hide him from people?
It's not like he had done anything shameful.
Besides, what was the point of hiding anything now?
That scheming Danzo had already exposed everything about Naruto long ago.
Trying to cover things up now? Too late.
Since there was nothing to hide, it was best to just go with the flow and treat Naruto like any other Konoha citizen.
The Third Hokage had tried to talk to Tsunade about it, but she ignored him.
She had enough real work to deal with—who had the time or energy to worry about something like this?
After Sasuke, Naruto became the second student in their class who no longer attended school and instead focused on private training.
Once Jiraiya returned, Kakashi finally got to free himself from the responsibility and handed Naruto back to him, letting Jiraiya take over his training.
"What, you trying to give Naruto another push?"
Yan glanced up at Jiraiya, who was holding a bottle of sake and a pile of food, then went back to reading his documents.
"Just so you know, I'm busy. I don't have time to sit around drinking with you. If you want to drink, go find Tsunade."
Yan never cared much for drinking, and if Jiraiya was just bored and looking for a drinking buddy, he was barking up the wrong tree.
"No, no, I'm here to talk to you. Drinking with Tsunade is no fun."
Jiraiya quickly waved his hand, set the food down on the table, and pulled up a chair.
Izumi, standing nearby, looked like she wanted to say something.
She wanted to remind Jiraiya that there were important documents and scrolls on the table, but since Yan didn't react, she swallowed her words.
Unbelievable.
You won't go to Tsunade.
You won't go to Orochimaru, your old rival.
But instead, you come to me.
Yan closed the file.
"Izumi, go take a break. If you have nothing to do, you can go out with Shizune, grab something to eat."
After sending his assistant away, Yan finally asked, "Alright, what is it?"
Jiraiya opened the bag, grabbed a piece of meat, popped it into his mouth, and took a moment to savor it before saying,
"Didn't expect the Uchiha to sell food this good."
Seriously?
Just because the Uchiha were a bit rigid and overly serious, did that mean they didn't need to eat?
Yan had half a mind to throw Jiraiya out.
Noticing Yan's impatience, Jiraiya finally got to the point.
"Naruto's training is going well. The kid's got real talent. I see a lot of Minato in him."
Minato?
Yeah, right.
Yan crossed his arms, completely unconvinced.
You see Minato in Naruto?
Sorry, but all I see in him is you, Jiraiya!
Other than his hair, this kid really doesn't look anything like his dad.
"Alright, I mainly wanted to talk to you about Naruto's training. I'm thinking about teaching him the Rasengan, but I'm worried it might be too early for him."
"What's wrong with that?"
He's going to learn it sooner or later—what difference does it make if it's a bit earlier?
If anything, it might even help him connect with the Nine-Tails faster.
"Kids used to graduate at seven or eight, become ninja, and go straight to the battlefield. Are you saying Naruto is still just a kid?
If this were a few years earlier, a brat like him would've already been led into battle by his teacher."
"Don't tell me—Sasuke can handle the darkness, but Naruto can't?"
Orochimaru's training methods for Sasuke are brutal, but look at him—he's fine. In fact, he keeps getting stronger every day.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya is here worrying about pointless things.
"Ahaha…"
Jiraiya instinctively wanted to scratch his head, but then he noticed Yan's unimpressed expression and quickly stopped himself.
After all, scratching his head with the same hand he just ate with wouldn't be very hygienic.
---------------------------------------
You can read 10 chapters ahead on patre on
patr eon.com/JYouyi